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Xanadoood

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Everything posted by Xanadoood

  1. This is probably one of the more eloquent statements on Neil as a drummer here that I have read. He was an excellent composer, but overlooking the rigidity that results is a bit absurd. But isn’t it the end result that matters? I see so many videos on YouTube of guys swinging and groovin with great chops but it just comes across as musical masturbation for other drummers
  2. I always point to Peaceable Kingdom as a good example of that. Yeah, seems a good chunk of Rush fans don't like that song much, even those who like Vapor Trails, but I happen to like it -- It's grimey and snarky, and it has some groove to it. It's not , but it's there. It's the kind of playing Neil couldn't have pulled off pre-T4E. Check out the "tarot card" sections at 1:18 and 2:58. Pretty good feel from Neil there. http://youtu.be/uLB-olUHLac There's a little something there but it's easier to accomplish groove when you don't hit the snare with the force of Thor's hammer. Of course, Rush's music typically demanded a hard hitter. Groove tends to work better with a dynamic, light touch. Other hard rock drummers can do it like Bonham and Joey Kramer but a lot of the songs they played on begged for groove. Neil may not have been an innate groover but dedication and practice early on would have helped him get a lot better at at. I think it was just a matter of what interested him at the time as well as the demands of the music he was playing. It just seems that groove and swing seem to be the only criteria for drummers .. and Joey Kramer? Really?
  3. I’ve always judged a musician by their body of work and playing within the context of the songs they are associated with. I think since the dawn of youtube , you can find guys with ridiculous chops, groove, swing etc.. and maybe guys like Neil aren’t valued as much? It seems that way
  4. Who are the main detractors? On drum forums you will inevitably find guys ripping on Neil and tossing out “ overrated”, can’t swing, play jazz, too stiff etc
  5. It’s funny, I remember reading an article in musician magazine back in the 80s and they ranked accept and priest as the number one and two metal bands but hated maiden.. does anyone remember musician magazinE? It was a somewhat elitist mag that didn’t take too kindly to any hard rock or metal
  6. This is why I didn't like his drumming on What You're Doing. Like others have stated, he was an excellent composer, but a terrible improviser. The result was like a more rigid Phil Collins. Collins could build but still improvise. With Neil's technical chops, I was surprised that he never figured that out. He should have been able to. He liked having a road map. I can respect that. But from a listening standpoint, it was a bit inflexible and predictable. I get that. But I also enjoyed listening to the parts Neil came up with far more than than Phil Collins.. with all due respect to Phil. I think improvising is a bit overrated and can sound like shit a lot of the time
  7. No doubt. But much like an eddie Van Halen, he was hugely influential to a certain generation but gets a lot of shit at the same time
  8. I keep reading about his inability to “ swing” .. I honestly could give a shit.. I love his playing in rush but a lot of drummers seem to have an issue with it
  9. On episode 2.. holy crazy shit balls
  10. I’ve noticed In a lot of tributes to Neil there are still a lot of detractors.. I can’t think of another drummer who has such a huge fanbase but also quite a few critics.. what was it about Neil that caused this? Overexposure? Prog rock hatred? Geddys vocals?
  11. File under: a band who should have retired 35 years ago. Who in their right mind would go support them after this? Shit like this makes you appreciate the way Rush went about their career even more. https://www.loudersound.com/news/journey-sack-steve-smith-and-ross-valory
  12. I’ve always got the impression that those early 70s prog bands didn’t like rush all that much. Maybe jealousy for their sustained success for decades? Phil Collins and Bruford come across as bitter old dudes.
  13. Anyone who grew up in Massachusetts/ New England knows 107.3 waaf.. another rock station gone. And switching to Christian radio of all formats.. yikes. I heard so many bands for the first time through ‘aaf. Anyone else been losing their local stations from youth? https://www.boston.com/culture/music/2020/02/19/waaf-1073-fm-sold
  14. Earl, that’s the first thought that popped into my head when I read the cause of death. How a man so brilliant and articulate succumbed to brain cancer.
  15. I’m blown away by the reach that neils passing has had. Tributes are pouring in from all over the place, not just te music industry.
  16. f***in gutted.. watching snakes and arrows dvd.. heard they news at work and could barely hold it together
  17. This is such an entertaining series. Done really well.
  18. Rock music will probably never be as huge as it was back in the 70s through 90s. From my conversations with young music fans, electronic music is where it's at. They really could give a shit about organic sounding rock bands.
  19. I've never understood why Joy Division gets so much adulation. They released two albums. Bores me to tears.
  20. Looking forward to this series. Has anyone seen this? Interesting take
  21. His takevdown of Jeff Beck is inexcusable 200. Jeff Beck (2009) Beck’s another guy who shows up for all the big all-star nights; with his sleeveless T-shirts and inimitable, highly controlled wowza playing style, he cuts quite a figure. Still, Beck was inducted as part of the Yardbirds; his work solo (most notably Wired and Blow by Blow in the 1970s) and in other ensembles in the years since hasn’t made him anything other than a minor respected figure. I would gladly pay cash money to see him live tomorrow night, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a highly in-clubby inductee and another example of how the hall reflexively absorbs the practitioners of accepted rock-and-roll postures (here, the sexy but not homoerotic guy with a guitar) but remains tone-deaf to innovators in other styles. Except for, you know, ABBA.
  22. Well well.. look at what we got here. Rush at #210.. http://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-artists-ranked-from-best-to-worst.html
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